Ministry Denies Increase Of Bus, Taxi Fares
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday May 29, 2017 16:12
This follows trending allegations on social media that public transport fares will be increased effective May 29, 2017. It has been alleged that combi fare has been increased to P5 while taxi will cost P7.
This alleged increase sparked different opinions from many Batswana.
Others, probably those in the public transport business welcomed the alleged increase, arguing that it has been many years since the fares were increased. However, many felt that the increase is too steep and they would struggle to afford it.
The ministry’s chief public relations officer Oteng Mokowe has denied the allegations.
“It is not true that public transport fares will increase effective Monday.
There is nothing like that. If there were an increase, it would come from us not on social media. It would be on black and white,” Mokowe said.
“We don’t know where it comes from. We learnt about it on Facebook just like you, so it is not correct.”
Mokowe further said that there is no plan to increase the public transport fares anytime soon. The public transport fares were last increased in December 2012 when Government increased by six percent in an effort to cushion the effects of soaring global fuel prices.
Taxi fare was increased from P3.90 to P4.10 while Special Taxi (pula per trip) moved from P19.40 to P21.00. Combi fare was raised to P3.50 from P3.30 while for long distance routes, the fares were calculated based on the six percent increase.